Welcome to Northern State University

Northern State University provides students with an unmatched educational experience.

It is a unique institution where students are provided the opportunity to engage with the
best of academics, cultural arts, and athletics. It is also a place where international cultures
come together for the purpose of exploring the very finest elements of an undergraduate or
graduate education.

As a teaching institution, Northern faculty are committed to presenting academic materials

in a challenging but intimate environment. Your classes here will be small. Your
interactions, though, will be very large in scale. We are proud to be the E-Learning and
International Business campus for the state of South Dakota. Our offerings reflect the
importance of these two specific designations to the academic life of our campus. This
catalog will bring you a solid introduction to all that Northern has to offer. By choosing
specific courses or a specified plan of study, we are confident that our curriculum will allow
you to be tremendously successful in whatever field you might choose. Northern is a place
where you can truly be yourself; we are an institution that is dedicated to allowing you
to explore and create to the absolute limits of your imagination. I urge you to begin your
explorations right now.

Be You. Be Us. Be Northern!

James M. Smith, Ph.D.

President

Volume 99 Fall 2009 Number 1

Published by Northern State University,
Aberdeen, South Dakota 57401-7198.
Third class postage paid at Aberdeen, South Dakota
http://www.northern.edu
1-800-NSU-5330

NORTHERN STATE UNIVERSITY 

WELCOME TO NSU

Welcome to Affirmative Action Catalog Requirements-

Northern State
University.
Information between the covers of this catalog will
acquaint you with the history and objectives of
Northern State University; admission information
and academic standards; student life and services;
and the academic offering.
This catalog is not a contract and is published for
purposes of information only. Rules, regulations,
procedures, courses, programs and costs are
current only on the date of publication and are
subject to change as needs and reason may
dictate.
Statement
The policy of Northern State University is to provide equal
opportunity for employment, admissions and services to
all individuals. This shall include, but is not limited to, the
following practices:
• The recruiting, hiring, training and promoting of all
persons in all job classifications, except where any of the
above are limited by a bonafide occupational qualification.
• All personnel actions such as compensation, benefits,
transfer, layoffs, returns from layoff, university-sponsored
training, education, tuition assistance, and social and
recreation programs.
• All aspects of student management, including but not
limited to recruiting, admissions, scholarships and awards,
employment placement, academic decisions and all student
services.
If you feel you have been treated unfairly or unjustly because
of any of the above items, you should contact the Affirmative
Action Office on campus.
Student Responsibility
Each student is responsible for knowing and meeting
graduation requirements stated in the catalog current at the
time of his or her initial enrollment as a freshman. Transfer
students must complete degree requirements in effect in the
catalog at the time of their initial enrollment at Northern State
University. Re-admitted students are required to meet degree
requirements of the catalog in effect at the time of their initial
enrollment unless they have interrupted their enrollement
for at least one calendar year. In this event the catalog in
effect at the time of re-admission is used to determine degree
requirements.
The catalog is the only official statement of requirements for
each degree. Students are solely responsible for meeting those
requirements.
No course may be substituted to meet degree requirements
except with the approval of the Registrar. To avoid any
possible delay in graduation, students should obtain written
permission prior to scheduling a course which they believe
may be substituted for a required course.

Disability Services
Northern State University recognizes its responsibility for
creating an institutional climate in which students with
disabilities can thrive. If you have any time of disability for
which you require accommodations, please contact the NSU
Office of Disability Services (ODS) as soon as possible to
discuss your particular needs. The mission of the Office of
Disability Services is to provide equal access to university
programs, as mandated by the American with Disabilities Act
(ADA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Any
student requesting accommodations must submit adequate
documentation of disability before accommodations can be
provided. Contact information for the ODS: phone – (605)
626-2371; location – Student Center 217; FAX – (605) 626-3399

NORTHERN STATE UNIVERSITY

ii
 Welcome to NSU

About Northern State University Values

Northern State University is a premier residential, liberal arts institution characterized by
outstanding instruction, extraordinary community relations, and unparalleled co-curricular
opportunities. In August of 2008 NSU was named by U.S. News and World Report as one of the
best undergraduate public institutions in the Midwest. For more information about NSU, visit
our Web site at www.northern.edu
NSU’s students, faculty, and staff are drawn together by the following values:
Community: With strong ties to our city and region, we are a welcoming community of scholars
and learners, with a focus on a student-centered environment.
Scholarship: We engage in research and creative activities in an innovative atmosphere of intel-
lectual rigor, with academic freedom and integrity.

Mission Statement Citizenship: We educate individuals for a lifetime of learning and service to their ever-changing
communities, nations, and world.
The legislature established Northern State University to meet the needs of the State, the region,
and nation by providing undergraduate and graduate programs in education and other courses
or programs as the Board of Regents may determine. (SDCL 13-59-1)
The Board implemented SDCL 13-59-1 by authorizing graduate and undergraduate programs
in education to promote excellence in teaching and learning, to support research, scholarly
and creative activities, and to provide service to the State of South Dakota, the region, and the
nation. The Board approved a special emphasis on E-learning in the university curriculum and
service.

Curriculum
Degrees are authorized at the associate, baccalaureate, and masters levels.
The following curriculum is approved for the university.
A. Undergraduate Programs
Associate degree programs in arts and sciences, business, education and fine arts.
Baccalaureate degree programs in arts and sciences, business, education, and fine arts.

B. Graduate programs
Masters degree in education and E-learning.

Vision
Northern State University is an historic, public institution of higher education established on
an attractive campus in Aberdeen, South Dakota. The NSU community takes pride in the institu-
tion and in providing an advanced teaching and learning environment. Integrating technol-
ogy across the curriculum, NSU offers excellence in liberal and professional education with
programs in Arts and Sciences, Business, Education and Fine Arts.

NORTHERN STATE UNIVERSITY iii

Welcome to NSU

Academic Freedom and Responsibility Affiliations

1. Academic freedom is guaranteed to faculty members subject only to accepted standards of profes- Northern State University is an accredited institutional member of
sional responsibility including, but not limited to, those herein set forth:
National Association of Schools of Music
A. The importance of academic freedom to teaching and learning is recognized and accepted. 11250 Roger Bacon Drive Suite 21
Academic freedom includes the right to study, discuss, investigate, teach and publish. Academic Reston, VA 20190
freedom applies to both teaching and research. Freedom in research is fundamental to the
National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education
advancement of truth. Academic freedom in its teaching aspect is fundamental for the protection
2010 Massachusetts Avenue NW Suite 500
of the rights of the teacher in teaching and of students to freedom in learning. It includes the
Washington, DC 20036-1023
freedom to perform one’s professional duties and to present differing and sometimes controver-
sial points of view, free from reprisal. The faculty member is entitled to freedom in research and Higher Learning Commission
in the publication of the results, subject to the performing of other assigned academic duties. Commission of North Central Association of Colleges and Schools
30 North LaSalle Street Suite 2400
B. Faculty members are entitled to freedom in the classroom in the discussion of their subject. They
Chicago, IL 60602
have the freedom to include the presentation of various scholarly views.
South Dakota Department of Education
C. The concept of freedom should be accompanied by an equally demanding concept of responsi-
Kneip Building
bility. The faculty members are members of a learned profession. When they speak or write as
700 Governors Drive
citizens, they must be free from institutional censorship or discipline, but their special position
Pierre, SD 57501
in the community imposes special obligations. As learned people and as educators, they should
remember that the public may judge their profession and their institution by their utterances.
Hence, they should at all times be accurate, should exercise appropriate restraint, should show re-
spect for the opinions of others and should indicate that they are not speaking for the institution.
Member of
American Assembly of Collegiate Schools of Business
2. To secure student freedom in learning, faculty members in the classroom and in seminar should American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education
encourage free and orderly discussion, inquiry and expression of the course subject matter. Student
American Association of State Colleges and Universities
performance may be evaluated solely on an academic basis, not on opinions or conduct in matters
American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admission Officers
unrelated to academic standards.
American Council of Learned Societies
A. Students should be free to take reasoned exception to the data or views offered in any course of American Council on Education
study and to reserve judgment about matters of opinion, but they are responsible for learning the
Association for Institutional Research
content of any course of study for which they are enrolled.
College and University Personnel Association
B. Each institution shall establish an academic appeals procedure to permit review of student allega- Council of Colleges of Arts and Sciences
tions that an academic evaluation was tainted by prejudiced or capricious consideration of student National Association College Admissions Counselors
opinions or conduct unrelated to academic standards. These procedures shall prohibit retaliation
National Association for Business Teacher Education
against persons who initiate appeals or who participate in the review of appeals.
National Association of College and University Business Officers
C. Students are responsible for maintaining standards of academic performance established for each National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators
course in which they are enrolled. National Association of Student Personnel Administrators
National Association of Schools of Art and Design
National Association of Schools of Music
National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education
North Central Association of Colleges and Schools
Upper Midwest Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers

NORTHERN STATE UNIVERSITY

iv

Table of Contents
Affirmative Action Statement ii
Mission Statement iii
Affiliations/Membership iv
Board of Regents 1
Officers of Northern State University 1
Academic Administration 1
Academic Calendar 2
Institution and Campus 3
ADMISSION INFORMATION
Procedures 4
Immunization Requirements 4
Admission Requirements 4
FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Financial Assistance 8
Applying for Financial Assistance 8
Types of Financial Assistance 8
Monthly Payment Plan 10
FEES AND EXPENSES
Tuition 11
Fees 11
Residence Hall Rental 12
Food Cost 12
Estimated Cost of Attendance 12
STUDENT INFORMATION
Rights and Responsibilities 14
Residence Hall Living 14
Food Service 14
Career Development and Placement 14
Student Health Services 15
Children’s Center 15
Bookstore and Post Office 15
Counseling Center 15
Disability Services 15
Discovery Program 15
NORTHERN STATE UNIVERSITY
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Multicultural Student Affairs 15 UNIVERSITY COLLEGE 49
International Student Concerns 16
Student Activities 16 NSU CENTER FOR STATEWIDE
Privacy Rights 16 E-LEARNING 50
Standards of Conduct 17
Disciplinary Proceedings 17 PROGRAMS 51
Arranged alphabetically
ACADEMIC INFORMATION
Registration 18 COURSE DESCRIPTIONS 152
Program Planning 18 Arranged alpha-numerically by prefix
Academic Load 18
Classification of Students 18
FACULTY 210
Grades and Grade Point Average 18
Academic Amnesty 19
Incompletes and Withdrawals 19
INDEX 213
Scholarship and Academic Honors 20
Graduation Requirements 20
Additional Degrees/Major/Teacher Certification 21
Credit By Validation 21
Academic Probation and Suspension 22
Transcripts 22
Academic Services 23
Technology Services 24
Technology Support 24
Honors Program 25
Extended Studies 25
Undergraduate Programs 26
Program Requirements 28
Institutional Graduation Requirements 31
Degree Requirements 34
GRADUATE STUDIES
General Information 38
Admission 38
Immunization Policy 39
Academic Requirements 42
Summary of Procedures 48